Improvement in shoe-fastenings



C. F KLEINSCHUSTER.

SHO'E-FASTENINGS. Nc.131,94:8. Patented Sept. 5, 1876.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIoE.

CHARLES F. KLEINSGHUSTER, OF MARBURG, AUSTRIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SHOE-FASTENINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 181,948, datedSeptember 5, 1876; application filed August 12, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES F. KLEINs- CHUSTER, of Marburg, Austria,have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in the Constructionof Shoes, of which the following is a specification:

This invention consists in constructing what are known as gaiter-shoeswith gored sides, fastened by means of thongs or lacings inserted fromthe bottom upward through loops attached alternately to the front andback portions of the upper, so that when the thongs are drawn straightupward the edges of the opening will be brought together flush, and willbe so retained by simply tying the thongs.

The invention further consists in bushing the lacing-loops with eyes ofcoiled wire, to

prevent wear or injury to the leather, and to more effectually hold thestrings.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improvedshoe, with the lacing loosened in readiness for putting on, and one ofthe lacing-loops being shown partly in section to exhibit thecoiled-wire bushing within it. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on theline 2 2, Fig. 1, showing the upper drawn together as when on the boot.Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are diagrams of parts used in the construction ofthe shoe, Fig. 3 being a gorepiece; Fig. 4, an internal lap-piece, to beattached to the front edge of the quarter; Fig. 5, one of the fronteye-pieces, and Fig. 6 one of the back eye-pieces.

A is the vamp, and B the quarters, of the I shoe. Within the meetingedges are sewed gores O O, which may render the shoe perfectlywater-tight to its top. When the shoe is opened, in the mannerillustrated in Fig. 1, it may be drawn on or off with as great ease asany laced shoe or boot.

For fastening it on the foot I employ thongs 0r strings D, each of whichmay have a single knot, d, at bottom, and is passed upward throughlacing-eyes EE', attached to the edges v V of the vamp and quartersalternately.

of cloth, silk, or other fine material, is formed without laps, and soas to admit of being cut with the smallest possible amount of waste.

This constitutes a feature of economy in the construction of my shoewhich is of great practical importance. The gore-pieces G, the patternof which is illustrated in Fig. 3, may be made of kid or other softmaterial. The rear lapping-piece H, the pattern of which is shown inFig. 4, is applied to the front edge of the upper back, as shown inFigs. 1 and 2. This, being partially exposed to view, and requiring tohave more rigidity, may be made of patent-leather, but does not foldwhen the shoe is fastened. The gore-pieces G G fold together, asillustrated in Fig. 2, their edges just meeting at front, and producingno ridge or wrinkle to oppress the instep.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as newand desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A shoe-fastening consisting of thongs or strings D, inserted invertical eyes E E, attached alternately to the vamp and quarters in ashoe having side gores G, substantially as set forth.

2. The eyes E E, constructed with bushings F of-coiled wire, adapted tooperate as set forth. I

CHARLES F. KLEINSGHUSTER.

Witnesses I v OG'TAVIUS KNIGHT, CHAS. J. Gooon.

